Material handling device



Feb. 15, 1966 E. P. CRIM MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 12, 1963 wmw 9% I Feb. 15, 1966 E. P. CRIM 3,235,153

MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 12, 1963 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 15, 1966 a. P. CRIM MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 12, 1965 h wm Feb. 15, 1966 E. P. CRlM MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 12, 1963 NHQQ rza 2 69/122,; 3

Feb. 15, 1966 E. P. CRIM MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec. 12, 1963 jamm gzo 62 m aim/78 Feb. 15, 1966 E. P. cRlM MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 12, 1963 21101276701 5&0 Cm) Feb. 15, 1966 E. P. CRIM 3,235,153

MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE Filed DeC. 12, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 MP 170 g 5707, 5,? roam/p QM r $-"r 196 MP 754 r ,Pap 375 ammo/o lwrzi wimp United States Patent 3,235,153 MATERIAL HANDLING DEVICE Elmo P. Crim, Evergreen Park, Ill., assignor to Interlake Steel Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 330,031 (Ilaims. (Cl. 227-3) This invention relates to the art of material handling and to improvements in a conveyor for particular adaption with a fastening machine for applying fasteners to pads or sheets in a predetermined order.

Following the present trend in industry, in order to minimize labor and increase production, la-bor operations are mechanized whenever reasonably possible. This invention is particularly concerned with the mechanization of the handling of pads of cards or sheets for automatic presentation to a fastening machine and the application of fasteners to the pads in adjustable timed relation to the movement of conveyor means and, thereafter, to transport the fastened pads to a forward station where they are automatically transported to a stack which is periodically displaced to make room for a subsequent stack.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a conveyor or transport means associated with the mechanization for the handling of pads of cards or sheets for delivery to a fastening machine wherein means is provided for conveniently varying the delivery increments of movement to provide an infinite number of fastener spacing possibilities. This feature is particularly advantageous for arranging proper fastener locations on pads of cards or sheets which are to be subsequently sheared into a multiple number of smaller pads. It is quite usual that the sizes of these smaller pads are different, depending upon the uses of the pads and the desires of the users of the pads. There is no standardization of pad sizes and, so, they are produced in almost an infinite numher of sizes. In order to accommodate such a wide variety of sizes of pads through the apparatus and insure that the fastener locations will be proper, the employment of a conveyor or transport means in the machine for conveniently permitting variation of the delivery increments of movement for the fastening means is extremely advantageous and provides great utility and versatility.

It is another important object of the invention to provide delivery or conveyor mechanism for delivering the pads to the fastening means wherein control means are provided for accurately insuring delivery increments of movement within very close tolerances which do not include a cumulative positioning error.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an apparatus which lends itself to extremely high speed operation without any sacrifice of accuracy.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of the type described which is powered by fluid pressure operated devices in a relatively simple manner employing relatively inexpensive components, considering the nature of the work performed.

It is another object of the invention to provide control means for sequential control of the operating steps of the machine which, although certain steps overlap each other, insures that no interference of operating steps occurs which might hinder the proper operation of the machine.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine of the type mentioned which is substantially automatic in its operation for completing an entire operating cycle after it is once initiated and the work pieces are properly located, but which has automatic controls for preventing full cycle operation if the work pieces are not properly located.

Patented Feb. 15, 1966 It is another object to provide such a machine with controls causing the machine to repeat its cycling so long as work ieces are properly presented to it, but which automatically shuts off if work pieces are no longer fed to it.

It is another object of the invention to provide delivery means for the work pieces or pads which employs a lost motion mechanism restrained in its movement by a retarding friction device and is responsible for extending and retracting work piece carriage fingers for both carrying the pads or work pieces forward and for returning the carriage fingers without interference from positioned work pieces.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an invention embodying a suitable brake for positively repeatedly arresting movement of the work piece carriage fingers as they deliver the work pieces to the fastening means location after precise increments of movement.

It is another object of the invention to provide means for stacking the work pieces or pads after they have been provided with fasteners which stacking means can be manually set to automatically provide for stacking of a predetermined number of pads in a single stack and immediately thereafter cause the complete stack to be shifted clear of the stacking position so that a new stack can be initiated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention should be apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view looking toward the upper central portion of the apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view looking downward toward the central portion of the apparatus embodying the invention, except that the apparatus is shown with some of its cover plates and guide portions removed;

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 but with portions of the apparatus cutaway and does not include the stacking table of the machine;

FIG. 4 shows a view similar to FIG. 3, except that the apparatus is shown with all cover plates in place and with the stacking table attached;

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view similar to FIG. 5, except that it is slightly enlarged and portions are shown cutaway and cover plates are removed to provide a better showing of the internal mechanism;

FIG. 7 shows a partial right end elevation of the ap paratus shown in FIG. 3, with the stacking table removed;

FIG. 8 shows a right end elevation of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 with the stacking table attached;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9--9 of FIG. 8 to particularly show the arrangement of a cam and two switches associated with the fastener machine drive shaft;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the portion of the mechanism shown in the upper right hand corner of FIG. 3 and shows the mechanism for actuating one of the carriage fingers;

FIG. 11 shows a view along the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a view along the line 12-12 of FIG. 6 and partially shows the mechanism associated with a second carriage finger;

FIG. 13 shows a pad of cards after it has been processed by the apparatus and subsequently sheared to size.

FIG. 14 shows a larger pad than shown in FIG. .13 and is an example of one which has been processed by the 3 apparatus prior to being cut into four separate smaller finished pads of the size shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a simplified schematic diagram of the elec trical circuit embodied in the apparatus for electrically controlling its operations;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view along the line 1616 of FIG. and particularly shows the guiding portions for certain parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view along the line 17-17 of FIG. 3 and particularly shows the arrangement of the parts for actuating the second carriage finger; and

FIG. 18 is a view along the line 18-18 of FIG. 10.

In FIG. 13 is shown a pad which is composed of several sheets of paper or cards stacked together and fastened with two staples or stitches 2 spaced apart from each other along one margin of the pad. In FIG. 14, a multiple number of these pads 1 are shown connected together before being cut to the size shown in FIG. 13. These four pads .1 constitute a larger pad 3 which is connected together by a plurality of staples or stitches along one margin of the large pad 3. The large pad shown in FIG. 14 is an example of the manner in which fasteners are located to join together the stack sheets of the pad 3. They are regularly spaced, two for each small pad 1 to be cut, identically located on each small pad 1. Althrough the pad 3 shows divisions for cutting it into four smaller pads 1, it can just as well be provided with a different stitch or staple arrangement and permit it to be cut into either a less number of smaller pads of slightly larger width than the pad 1, or into a larger number of a smaller pads with widths less than that of the smaller pad 1. The apparatus embodying the invention herein is capable of being adjusted to accommodate an infinite number of stitch pattern variations and thereby permit the production of pads of almost any width and with the individual pads suitably stitched.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the apparatus consists of a support frame 4 provided with casters 5 to permit the apparatus to be easily rolled from place to place. Supported on the frame 4 are all of the mechanisms associated with its operation. During the operation of the machine, large pads 3 to be stitched are presented to the machine at the loading station 6. The machine transports them to the pickup station 7, moves them to the stitching station 8 where they are provided with fasteners in the form of stitches or staples, then to the ejecting station 9. They are transported from the ejecting station to the stacking station 11) where they are stacked into pre-determined size stacks and then ejected along the stacking table in the direction of the arrow 11 from where they are removed in readiness for being cut into smaller size pads.

While maneuvering through these various operations, the book or pad presented to the loading station 6 is transported by a pusher finger 12 from the loading station to the pickup station. At the pickup station (-FIG. 3), two carriage fingers 13 and 14 transport the pad forward through the stitching station. The means provided for moving the pusher finger 12 is the piston rod 15 mounted for reciprocating movement within the pusher cylinder 16. The carriage fingers 13 and 14 are maintained a fixed distance apart from each other, but are moved relative to the frame of the machine by means of the carriage cylinder rod 17 which is mounted for reciprocating movement with the carriage cylinder 18. Both the pusher cylinder '16 and the carriage cylinder 18 are mounted in a fixed position on the frame 4. During the hook carrying movement of the carriage fingers 13 and 14 through the stitching station 8, the movement is intermittent in short increments corresponding to the fastener or stitch pattern desired.

The frame 4- supports four longitudinally extending vertical plates 19, 20, 21 and 22 to which substantially all of the work piece or pad conveying mechanism of the machine is fastened. In addition, attached at opposite ends of these plates 19, 20, 21 and 22. are two end plates 23 and 24. The plates 19 and 22 are supported on four vertically extending angle members 25, 26, 27 and 28 which extend upwardly from the main frame 4. The end plate 23 is fastened between the plates 19 and 22 while the end plate 24 is secured to the vertical angle members 27 and 28.

The pusher cylinder 16 is mounted in a fixed position along the inner wall 29 of the plate 20. The pusher piston rod 15 is connected at its end to a block 30 which is shown particularly in FIG. 16. A stop 31)" at the end of a rod 31 extending from the plate 23 is positioned to arrest the travel of the pusher piston rod 15. This block 30 extends up through an open elongated slot 32 extending longitudinally along the cover plate 33 forming the table surface of the machine. The slot 32 extends for substantially the length of the loading station 6. The upper end of the block 30 is fastened to the pusher finger 12 provided with four freely journaled wheels which perunit the pusher finger to roll along the upper surface of the plate 33 as the pusher piston rod 15 is reciprocated. When operating the machine, a pad similar to 3 (FIG. 14) is positioned in place as shown in FIG. 5 in phantom lines. This pad 3 depresses the actuating arm of switch A as it is positioned as shown in FIG. 5. Actuation of this switch A, as hereinafter described, permits cycling of the machine.

A fter presentation of the pad 3 to the loading station '6, the pusher finger 12 pushes the pad 3 to a position at the pickup station 7 as shown at 3. At this time the carriage fingers 13 and 14 are retracted. But, upon the initial portion of retracting movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17, these carriage fingers 13 and 14 are elevated to become positioned adjacent opposite ends of the pad 3. The spacing of these carriage fingers 13 and 14 from each other is preset by locating them in a fixed position on a carriage rod 35. The means for retracting and elevating of the fingers 13 and 14 is hereinafter explained.

The carriage rod 35 is supported at one end for slidable movement through an opening 37 in the carriage drive member 36. The carriage rod 35 extends from the carriage drive member 36 back through an opening in the carriage finger support block 38, then through an opening in the carriage finger support block 39, and then further beyond it to a block 410. The block 40 is guided through a slot 42 in the plate 21 and projects at a portion 411a which is secured by screws 40b to the upper course 43a of a chain 43. As the block 40 is reciprocated back and forth by movement of the carriage rod 35, the projecting portion 40a of block 40 causes the course 43a of the chain 43 to be moved back and forth between a sprocket journaled to a main brake 44 and an idler sprocket 46. As this occurs, both sprockets 45 and 46 are rotated. The idler sprocket 46 is journaled on a shaft 47 in a bracket 48 secured to the plate 21. The main brake 44 is also fastened to the plate 21, but the sprocket 45 is journaled to the brake for rotation with a piston contained in the brake. The type of brake employed is one which can be purchased from Bellows-Valve Air of Akron 9, Ohio and consists of an air operated piston within the brake housing. The piston is mounted for a slight reciprocating movement along its shaft to engage its end with a brake plate for braking purposes or moved in a reverse direction to release it from the brake plate. The shaft on which the piston is journaled allows the piston to rotate on its shaft. The sprocket 45 is journaled to the piston. In operation, when no air is admitted to the brake 44, the sprocket is free to rotate as an idler. Upon admission of air under pressure to the brake, its piston is engaged against the brake plate which thereby frictionally prevents its rotation. Consequently, with the sprocket 45 attached to the piston, the sprocket 45 is also prevented from rotation at this time. As will hereinafter be described, the brake is energized or de-energized to either freeze the rotation of the sprocket 45 or to release it and permit its rotation.

A drag brake 49, similar in construction to the main brake 44, is also mounted on the plate 21. It too is provided with a sprocket 50 journaled to a piston mounted for reciprocating movement within the brake housing. This sprocket 50 and the brake 49 are related to each other and function in a manner identical to the construction and operation of the sprocket 45 and the main brake 44. The only difference is that the frictional pressure between the piston and its brake plate in the drag brake 49 is less than that in the main brake 44. This is to permit rotation of the sprocket 50, but with asubstantial frictional drag, rather than an absolute arrest of rotation. As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the chain 43 extends along its upper course 43a around and beneath the idler sprocket 46, over the sprocket 50 and down, around and over the sprocket 45 where it meets with its upper course 43a. In operation, as previously mentioned, the projecting member 40a moves the upper course 43a ofthe chain back and forth between the sprockets 45 and 46. It should be apparent that if the sprocket 45 is prevented from rotation at any time, the projectingmember 40a will be frozen in a particular position. Also, if the drag brake 49 is applied, the sprocket 50 will provide a drag on the chain 43 to resist any movement urged for the projecting member 40a. As also hereinafter described, the main brake 44 is applied each time the pad 3 is to be arrested in its motion along the table 33 of the machine with the pad properly aligned relative to the stitching or fastening station 8 for applying a fastener or stitch to the pad.

Motion of the carriage rod35 is effected by the carriage drive member 36 which is secured by means of a nut 51 at the free end of the carriage cylinder rod 17. This rod 17 is shown in its extended position in FIG. 3, but can be retracted within the carriage cylinder 18 upon proper admission of air or fluid to the carriage cylinder 18. The reciprocating movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17 causes the carriage drive member 36 to be moved between the position as shown in FIG. 3 and its position as shown in FIG. 6. In the position shown in FIG. 6, the carriage fingers 13 and 14 are in their initial positions ready to move forward and carry a pad 3 from the pickup station 7 in steps through the stitching station 8 and then to the ejecting station 9 where the fingers 13 and 14 reach a substantially final position as indicated in FIG. 3. The carriage drive member 36 has a lower switch carrier 36a which is connected to the member 36 and projects below the plate 21 (FIG. 2) which assists in guiding the member 36. Also, the carriage drive member 36 'has an upper portion which is guided along two ledges 52 and 53 adjacent to the upper surface of the machine (FIG. 2). The block 40 (FIG. 6) is also guided by means of the projecting portion 40a which rides along the longitudinal slot 42 in the plate 21 (FIGS. 6 and 16).

In order to permit a pad 3 to pass beyond the first carriage finger 13 when it is being presented to the pickup station, it is necessary that the carriage finger 13 be retracted. Also, when pads are in place along the entire length of the machine, it is necessary to return the second carriage finger 14 to its original position without interference from the pads in position. For this reason, it is also necessary to retract this carriage finger 14. This is accomplished by means of a lost motion mechanism associated with the carriage rod 35 and movement of the carriage drive member 36. Mounted between the carriage finger support block 39 and the carriage finger support block 38 and the carriage drive member 36 is a carriage plate 54. This carriage plate 54 is secured by means of screws 55 to the carriage drive member 36, and is also secured to another block 56 adjacent to the carriage finger support block 38. This carriage plate 54 is not secured to the support block 39, but is free to slide relative to it. As shown particularly in FIGS. 3, and 11, the carriage rod 35 is provided with two sleeves 57 and 58 which are adjustable along it but, after adjustment, are secured in place by means of set screws 57a and 58a. Upon retraction of the carriage rod cylinder 17, the carriage drive member 36 is retracted from its position as shown in solid outline in FIG. 10 to the position shown in phantom outline. During this time, the drag brake 49 is energized to resist movement of the carriage rod 35. As a result, this movement of the rod 17 and the carriage drive member 36 causes the block 56 to be moved with the carriage plate 54. The carriage finger 14 is pivoted to the carriage finger support block 38 on a pin 59. Its lower end is provided with a slot 60 which is guided by a pin 61 provided in the block 56. As the block 56 is urged to the left, as shown in FIG. 10, the slot 60 travels along the pin 61 while the finger 14 pivots on its pin 59 between a position shown in solid outline to one as shown in phantom outline which is its retracted position. This entire movement, just described, causes retraction of the carriage finger 14 during the initial one inch, for example, of return movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17. After that, the carriage cylinder rod 17 continues in its retracted movement to return the carriage finger 14 to its original position without any interference from pads positioned on the table surface of the machine.

This lost motion of the carriage drive member 36 relative to the carriage rod 35 is also employed to retract the other carriage finger 13. Referring to FllGS. l2 and 17, the carriage finger 13 is mounted for slidable movement in a vertical direction in a groove 62 in the support block 39. This finger 13 is provided with a pin 63 which is also guided in a vertical groove 64 in the block 33, which permits guided vertical movement of the finger 13 relative to the block 39. The carriage plate 54 is provided with a slanted groove 65 in it in which the pin 63 is also guided. As a consequence, as the carriage plate 64 moves toward the left as viewed in FIG. 12, the pin 63 rides down the grooves 64 and 65 to cause the carriage finger 13 to be retracted to its lower position. Upon reverse movement of the carriage plate 54, the pin 63 is elevated along the grooves 64 and 65 to raise the carriage finger 13 simultaneously with the retraction of the carriage finger 14. Conversely, movement of the carriage plate 54 in the opposite direction causes both carriage fingers 13 and 14 to be elevated simultaneously. Set screws 13a and 14a are provided on the blocks 38 and 39 to make them secure relative to the carriage rod 35 at any desired spacmg.

In order to intermittently stop the pads 3 in stitch positions while they are passed through the stitching station 8, a special stop means is provided. This is best indicated in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7. A stop support rod 66 is mounted between a bracket 67 and the end plate 24. Mounted along this stop support rod are a plurality of stops 68 secured by thumb screws thereon at their different locations along the rod 66. These stops 68 are located in positions corresponding to the pattern and loca tion desired for the placement of fasteners or stitches in the pads to be stitched. A switch I is supported on the switch carrier 36a and this switch I is transported as the carriage cylinder rod 17 is extended and retracted. As a result, the switch arm 69 of this switch I strikes stops 68 during the switch travel. As more fully described hereinafter, each of the stops 68 causes the switch J to be actuated which in turn causes means to arrest the movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17 and the carriage fingers 13 and 14 actuated -by it. This arrest of movement stops a pad 3 in a stitch or fasten position at the stitcher station where the pad actuates the switch MF to cause cycling of the fastening or stitching machine 70.

After a pad has been completely stitched and the carriage drive member 36 has reached its final position, the stitched pad 3 which is then positioned between two guides 71 and 72 is then ejected onto the stacking table 10 as the piston rod 73 of the ejecting cylinder 74 is actuated. These guides 71 and 72 are connected to each other by means of telescoping rods 75 and 76 which permit them to be adjusted to different distances between each other to accommodate pads of different size. Although the guide 71 would seem to be enough for ejecting purposes, the guide 72 is employed to keep the pads 3 in proper alignment as they are moved into ejecting position. As the piston rod 73 is extended, it moves a stop 77 with it and this stop 77 strikes the arm 78 of a counter switch MF21. Switch MF21 is related to the operation of a counter MF108 which permits a preset number of stitched or fastened pads to be stacked on the table prior to actuation of another piston rod 79 which actuates a stack pushing finger 80 to shift a stack along the stacking table and make room for the start of a new stack of pads.

The stack pushing finger 80 is secured to the end of the piston rod 79 which is mounted for reciprocating movement within the stack ejector cylinder 81. This cylinder 81 is secured to the lower portion of the stacking table 10 in a fixed position. Mounted adjacent to the stack pushing finger 80 is a switch 662 actuated by the finger 80 on its return stroke. This switch 662 causes the counter to be reset for a new stacking cycle.

There are several other switches located on the machine which are important to its operation. The location of these switches is best shown in FIG. 5. There is the switch C used to initiate the start of the movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17. A switch E adjacent to it is used to cause retraction of the extended pusher cylinder rod 15. A switch 0 sets up the drag brake circuit and a switch I causes the main brake 44 to be de-energized and permit the carriage to move to the next stop position. Another switch B is provided with its arm projecting upwardly through the table top 33 and it is actuated by a pad 3 moving into the pickup station 7. If switch B is not actuated, the operation of the carriage rod 35 is prevented. Another switch MF110 is located at the stitching station and its arm projects upwardly through the table top 33 to also be actuated by a pad. The purpose of this switch MF110 is to initiate the operation of the stitching or fastening cycle by the stitching machine 70. Another switch M is located in the region of the ejecting station 9 and is actuated by the carriage cylinder rod mechanism to prevent the stitcher from cycling until the carriage cylinder rod 17 has moved forward through its lost motion which, for the machine shown, is approximately one inch. This insures that the carriage fingers 13 and 14 are properly positioned for transporting a pad forward to stitch position. Another switch D is actuated by the carriage cylinder rod 17 and prevents extension of the pusher rod 15 until the carriage cylinder rod 17 has been fully retracted. Another switch P adjacent to the switch D is actuated by the carriage cylinder rod 17 one inch before the end of its return stroke and causes energizing of the drag brake 49 to provide a frictional drag on the carriage rod 35 preparatory to its first one inch of forward movement. This one inch of free movement or lost motion is the motion required for actuation of the carriage fingers 13 and 14, as already described. Switch L is actuated by the carriage cylinder rod 17 after the carriage cylinder rod 17 has been retracted one inch. It insures that the carriage fingers 13 and 14 are retracted before the ejecting cylinder rod 73 is extended to eject a stitched pad onto the stacking table 10. It is essential to do this so that the ejecting mechanism does not strike the carriage fingers 13 and 14. There are two other switches, G and F contained in the same housing. Switch G is in series with the switch A and causes the machine to repeat cycling provided a pad is in place to close switch A. Switches F and G are actuated by the carriage drive member 36 at the end of the stroke of the carriage cylinder rod 17. Switch F initiates return of the carriage cylinder rod 17. There are two other switches MF184 8 and M1 109. Switch MF109 is actuated by a cam on the pusher cylinder rod 15 at approximately six inches before completion of its forward stroke and this causes a book stop 82 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to be dropped into the path of the pad. This book stop 82 contacts the forward edge of a pad as it is delivered to the pickup station 7 to align the sheets of the pad and to provide a positive starting point for the pad before the pad is transported through the stitching station 8. At the start of the return of the pusher finger 12 by the pusher rod 15, the rod 15 is provided with another cam for actuating the switch MF184. This causes the book stop 82 to be retracted clear of the pickup station 7 and to permit it to be transported forward through the stitching station 8. In addition to the switches mentioned, there are also the switches H, MF114. and MF115 on the front of the machine, as shown in FIG. 14.

Operation and electrical controls An electric supply voltage is introduced between the terminals 103 and 104. It is carried to two conductors 101 and 102 by way of a main switch MF115. All of the electrical components are electrically connected between the conductors 101 and 102. In addition to the various switches that have already been mentioned, there are shown a a stitcher motor 105, a stitcher solenoid 106, a pad stop solenoid 107, the counter MF108, a stack ejector valve 109, the main brake valve 110, the pusher cylinder valve 111, the drag brake valve 112, the carriage cylinder valve 113 and the pad ejector cylinder valve 114. All of the valves, cylinders and brakes mentioned are related to a pneumatic circuit wherein air under pressure is used to actuate the cylinders and the brakes in a manner controlled by the actuation of the valves which are all solenoid operated and standard purchased parts which are not indicated in the drawings except by dotted lines in FIG. 15 The stack ejector valve 109 is a one way single cycle valve which extends and retracts through its complete cycle when the valve 109 is actuated. The main brake valve 110, the pusher cylinder valve 111 and the carriage cylinder valve 113 are double acting four way solenoid valves. The drag brake valve 112 is a spring return single acting solenoid valve.

In operation, after the main switch M1 115 is closed and voltage is supplied across the conductors 101 and 102, the switch MF1-14 is closed to energize the motor of the stitcher 70. This starts the stitcher motor rotating in readiness for a stitching cycle. The stitcher 70 is of a conventional type which has a solenoid operated clutch tripped by switch operation to engage a fly wheel rotated by the stitcher motor 105 with the shaft of the stitcher to start the stitch cycle. It is preferred that stitcher to be used of a type which forms a U-shaped staple or stich from a continuous supply of wire and drives and clinches it to form a fastener connection in the pad. Other types of fastener machines can be used and still fall within the scope of the invention defined herein. A stitching machine is shown by way of example because it is a device well known in the art and especially suited to the fastening of pads.

Simultaneously with the closing of' the main switch M'F115, the pad stop solenoid 107 is energized through switch M1 109. This causes the pad stop 82 to be raised clear of the position to block the pad path. Next, a pad 3, such as shown in FIG. 14 except without stitches in place, is positioned at the loading station 6, as indicated by phantom outline in FIG. 5 and this closes switch A. In order to initially start the cycling of the machine, switch H must also be depressed manually because it is in series with switch A. The solenoid 111a of the pusher cylinder valve 111 is energized to cause air under pressure to be introduced in the rod side of pusher cylinder 16 and cause its piston rod 15 to be retracted. This advances the pusher finger 12 to carry a pad 3 from the loading station 6 to the pickup station 7.

The switch MF109 is so positioned that, approximately six inches prior to the end of the pusher cylinder rod stroke, a cam on the rod causes switch MF109 to be actuated. This switch opens to de-energize the pad stop solenoid 107 and causes the pad stop 82 to drop in front of the path of the pad approaching the pickup station.

Switch D, in series with switch E, is held closed by contact with a portion of the carriage drive member 36 when the carriage drive member is in its initial position at the left as indicated in FIG. 6. Switch E is held closed by the block 30 when the pusher finger 12 is in its advanced position to the right as viewed in FIGS. 3, and 6. Closing of both of these switches causes the solenoid 111b of the pusher cylinder valve 111 to be energized to cause air to be admitted under pressure to the piston side of the pusher cylinder 16 to cause its piston rod to extend and start the return of the pusher finger to its original position to the left. This return of the pusher finger 12 occurs after the pad has fully reached the pickup station 7 with its leading edge resting against the pad stop finger 82. With the pad at the pickup station 7, the arm of the switch B projecting above the level of the table 33 is contacted by the pad and is closed. This switch B is in series wtih switch C which is closed by block when the pusher finger is fully advanced. When the block 30 has begun its return stroke, this switch C is closed. (Certain switches mentioned, such as switch C, are a one way actuated type. In the case of switch C, as the block 30 passes its arm on the forward stroke, the switch is not closed, but it is closed on the return stroke.) As soon as switch C is closed, switch B already being closed causes the solenoid 113a of the carriage cylinder valve 113 to be energized to cause air under pressure to be admitted to the piston side of the carriage cylinder 18 and start the extension of the carriage cylinder rod 17.

The start of return of the pusher finger 12 causes a cam on the pusher rod 32 to close the one way actuated switch MF184 to thereby cause the pad stop solenoid 107 to be energized and this causes the pad stop 82 to be elevated out of the pad path to allow free passage of the pad through from the pickup station through the stitching station.

At the start of the forward movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17, the solenoid 112a of the drag brake valve 112 is held energized by switch P which is held closed by the carriage drive member 36 in its retracted position toward the left. This keeps the drag brake valve 112 open to allow pressurized air to enter the drag brake 49 and provide a frictional drag on the movement of the carriage rod by resisting rotation of the sprocket 50 l and movement of the chain 43 engaging it which in turn restrains movement of the block attached to the carriage rod 35. As the carriage cylinder rod 17 advances for its first one inch of travel designated in FIG. 10 as the distance between the carriage drive member 36 and the sleeve 57 on the carriage rod 35, the drag brake 49 remains energized to allow this one inch of movement of the carriage drive member 36 relative to the carriage rod 35, and this causes both carriage fingers 13 and 14 to be elevated in a manner as previously described. At the end of this free travel, the sleeve 57 contacts the carriage drive member 36, the carriage drive member 36 passes by the arm of the switch P to allow the switch P to open and this de-energizes the solenoid 112a of the drag brake valve 112 to cut off the air under pressure to the drag brake 49. This releases the drag brake from resisting rotation of the sprocket and, in turn, the movement of the carriage rod 35. With the carriage fingers 13 and 14 elevated, they are now ready for carrying a pad 3 forward through the stitching station and, so, with the carriage rod 35 free to move, the forward extension of the carriage cylinder rod 17 causes the fingers 13 and 14 to carry the pad forward.

The carriage fingers 13 and 14 are moved until the traveling switch I carried on the carriage drive member portion 36a is momentarily closed as its arm strikes the first stop 68 in line with it. This energizes the solenoid a of the main brake valve 110 to allow air under pressure to enter it in a direction to apply a braking force to the sprocket 45 which in turn arrests movement of the chain 43, the carriage rod 35 and the carriage fingers 13 and 14.

By the time the switch I has been closed, the pad has already closed switch MFlltl which has an arm projecting upwardly through the table where it is contacted by the pad. Closing of this switch MF110 energizes the stitcher solenoid 106 to cause the stitcher 70 to cycle and drive a fastener or a stitch 2 through the pad 3 in a desired location corresponding to the location of the first stop 68. A cam 98 on the stitcher drive shaft 99 causes a switch 0 to be closed as the fastener or stitch is being driven, and closing of this switch 0 again causes the solenoid 112a of the drag brake valve 112 to be energized to energize the drag brake 49 and apply a frictional drag on the carriage rod 35. Closing this switch 0 also energizes the solenoid 97a of the relay 97 which in turn causes relay switches 97b and 970 to be closed. Relay switch 97b is a holding switch for keeping the solenoid 97a energized while switch 970 is a holding switch to keep the drag brake valve solenoid 112a energized, even after switch 0 opens. Both of these relay switches 97b and 97c complete their circuit through closed contacts L1 of switch -L.

Before the stitcher 70 is operated, the pad 3 moves from its initial position at the pickup station to the first stitch location corresponding to the location of the first stop 68. During this period of time, the drag brake 49 is not applied because there is sufiicient drag in the carriage cylinder 18 itself to prevent its operating too quickly. This is due to having pressure applied urging the carriage cylinder rod 17 in its retracted position and having to initially exhaust this pressure as the carriage cylinder rod 17 reverses its direction and moves forward. Subsequent to reaching the first stop, it is necessary to thereafter apply the drag brake to govern the forward speed of the carriage cylinder rod 17, otherwise the parts act so quickly that the carriage cylinder rod 17 might bypass subsequent stops. This is the reason why the drag brake 49 is applied during the first stitch cycle by means of closing the switch 0. The drag brake 49 is then remained energized until switch contact L1 is opened when the carriage cylinder rod 17 reaches the end of its forward stroke. As the switch cycle nears completion, switch I is closed by the cam 98 on the stitcher shaft 99. This energizes solenoid 11% of the main brake valve 118 to .reverse air flow to the main brake 44 and remove its braking force from the carriage rod 45. This frees the carriage rod 35 for a subsequent increment of movement corresponding to the location of the second stop 68. Because the carriage cylinder is still provided with air pressure urging it to extend, the carriage drive member and the carriage fingers 13 and 14 continue on in their forward movement. When the carriage switch J is actuated by the second stop, the main brake 44 is again energized as switch I is closed and the stitch cycle is again repeated. Likewise, switch 0 is again closed, but without any effect because the drag brake 49 is held energized at that time by closed switch contact L1 and relay switch 970. However, when switch I is again closed by the cam 98, this again de-energizes the main brake 44 to allow the pad 3 to be moved to the position corresponding to the third stop 68. This incremental movement of the pad 3 is repeated until all of the stops 68 have been contacted by the switch I and all the desired stitches or fasteners 2 have been applied in the pad 3 in locations similar to as shown in FIG. 14.. After the pad has been completely stitched and its trailing edge passes beyond the switch MF110, that switch again opens and this de-energizes the stitcher solenoid 106, thus keeping the stitcher inoperative. Also, after the last stitch has been placed, the carriage drive member 36 advances to the end of its movement corresponding to the full movement of the carriage cylinder rod 17. At this time, both switches G and F are closed by the carriage drive mem ber 36. Switch G is in series with switch A and again begins a repeat cycle of the entire operation of the machine, provided another pad has been properly placed at the loading station 6. Closing of switch F energizes the solenoid 113!) of the carriage cylinder valve 113 to reverse air pressure to the carriage cylinder 18. This causes the carriage cylinder rod 17 to retract and return the carriage drive member 36 and the carriage fingers 13 and 14 to their original locations as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As previously described, the initial one inch of travel of the carriage drive member 36 causes the carriage fingers 13 and 14 to be retracted clear of the upper surface of the table 33. This permits return of the carriage drive member 36 without any interference of the carriage fingers 13 and 14 with the pad just stitched. Because the drag brake 49 is still energized at this time, the carriage rod 35 is frictionally restrained from return movement, to cause the retraction of the carriage fingers 13 and 14, as previously described.

At the end of the first one inch of return movement the carriage drive member 36 causes actuation of the switch L so that its contacts L1 are opened and its contacts L2 are closed. At this instant, when the carriage fingers are retracted, closed switch L2 causes the solenoid 114:: of the pad ejector cylinder 74 to cause the stitched pad to be ejected onto the stacking table 10 in a manner as previously described. Open contacts L1 energize the drag brake 49 and the solenoid 97a of the relay 97 to again cause the relay switches 97b and 970 to be opened in readiness for the next cycle.

After several cycles of operation of the machine and when a certain number of stitched pads have been stacked on the stacking table 10, the switch MF21 will have been actuated the certain number of times required for the counter MFltlS to cause the solenoid 109a of the stack ejector valve 109 to be energized. This causes air to be applied to the stack ejector cylinder 81 and retract its piston rod 79 to cause the stack on the stacking table 10 to be shifted to the right in the direction of the arrow 11 clear of the stacking position. This clears the stacking station so that a new stack can be started. The stack ejector cylinder 81 is a single cycle type which both retracts its piston rod '79 and extends it each time the valve 109 is actuated. Upon its return movement, the stack pushing finger 80 actuates switch 662 which resets the counter MF18 to its initial setting. The counter MF108 is a conventional type which can be purchased as a complete unit and is provided with a numbered dial which can be set to the desired number of operations it is to count before operating the stack ejector valve 109. If twelve books are desired in a stack, twelve impulses from switch MF21 are required before the counter MF108 acts. If another number of books are required for each stack, the counter is set for that number.

So long as a pad 3 is presented to the loading station 6 to depress switch A before a pad moving through its stitching cycle is completed, the machine will continue to perform through complete repeat cycles. If, however, a pad is completely stitched and moved to the end of its forward movement without a pad being presented to the leading station 6, the cycling of the machine is arrested because switch A is open and the solenoid 111a of the pusher cylinder valve 111 is not energized when switch G is closed.

As previously mentioned, the guide 72 is adjustable toward or away from the guide 71 to accommodate pads 3 of difierent sizes. When such an adjustment is made, it is necessary to adjust another guide 330 (FIGS. 1 and 5) mounted on the table 33 of the machine. This guide 33c is held in place by means of three screws 33a which pass through slots 33c in the guide 33c. The screws 33a can be fastened through additional holes 33b in the table and their spacing from each other is such that the slots 33c allow the guide 33c to be positioned through the full range of the total spacing of the holes 33b.

In summary, what has been shown and described is a preferred embodiment of a machine which automatically applies fasteners to a pad of sheets or cards with the stitches or fasteners applied at intervals spaced from each other, and the machine provides adjustment of the spacing through an infinite range. Also, the number of fasteners to be applied is governed by the number of stops built into the machine. As previously mentioned, although a conventional stitching machine is shown employed, other fastening machines can readily by employed and still fall within the scope of the invention. Further, although only a single embodiment has been shown and described, it should be clearly understood that the invention can be made in many dilferent ways without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising, a frame, both a loading station and a fastening station beyond it on the outer surface of the frame, a conveyor means for delivering a pad from the loading station along said surface to the fastening station and then past the fastening station in separate increments of intermittent movement, said conveyor means having a pad pusher for transporting the pad from the loading station to the fastening station and a carriage means for transporting the pad past the fastening station, a first power means for transporting the pad pusher and a second power means for transporting the carriage means, a plurality of stops positioned in a row along the direction of travel of the carriage means with their spacing corresponding to the lengths of the increments of intermittent movement of the conveyor, a control means on the second power means aligned in the direct path of the stops to thereby contact the stops one at a time as the carriage is actuated, said control means, when it contacts a stop, being actuated to arrest motion of the second power means which in turn arrests motion of the carriage means and the pad it is transporting.

2. Apparatus defined by claim 1 characterized by, and drag means for governing the speed of the increments of movement of the pads past the fastening station.

3. Apparatus defined by claim 1 characterized by, and drag means connected to the carriage for governing the speed of the increments of intermittent movement of the carriage means.

4. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising, a frame, both a loading station and a fastening station beyond it on the outer surface of the frame, a conveyor means for delivering a pad from the loading station along said surface to the fastening station and then past the fastening station in separate increments of intermittent movement, said. conveyor means having a pad pusher for transporting the pad from the loading station to the fastening station and a carriage means for transporting the pad past the fastening station, a first power means for transporting the pad pusher and a second power means for transporting the carriage means, a plurality of stops positioned in a row along the direction of travel of the carriage means with their spacing corresponding to the lengths of the increments of intermittent movement of the conveyor, a control means on the second power means aligned in the direct path of the stops to thereby contact the stops one at a time as the carriage means is actuate-d, a brake means associated with the carriage means, said control means, when it contacts a stop, having means to actuate said brake means to arrest the motion of the carriage means.

5. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising, a frame, both a loading station and a fastening station beyond it on the outer surface of the frame, a conveyor means for delivering a pad from the loading station along said surface to the fastening station .and then past the fastening station in separate increments of intermittent movement, said conveyor means having a pad pusher for transporting the pad from the loading station to the fastening station and a carriage means for transporting the pad past the fastening station, a first power means for transporting the pad pusher and a second power means for transporting the carriage means, a plurality of stops positioned in a row along the direction of travel of the carriage means with their spacing corresponding to the lengths of the increments of intermittent movement of the conveyor, a control means on the second power means aligned in the direct path of the stops to thereby contact the stops one at a time as the carriage means is actuated, a fastener machine at said fastening station, said control means, when it contacts a stop, having means to arrest motion of the second power means to in turn arrest motion of the carriage means and the pad it is transporting and having means to initiate the cycling of the fastening means to join together the sheets of a pad.

6. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising, a frame, both a loading station and a fastening station beyond it on the outer surface of the frame, a conveyor means for delivering a pad from the loading station along said surface to the fastening station and then past the fastening station, said. conveyor means having a pad pusher for transporting the pad from the loading station to the fastening station and a carriage means for transporting the pad past the fastening station in separate increments of intermittent movement, a first power means for transporting the pad pusher and a second power means for transporting the carriage means, said first power means having a first fluid operated piston rod connected to the pad pusher for operating in one direction to move the pad pusher to transport a pad from the loading station to the fastening station and in the opposite direction to return the pad pusher to its starting position for reception of another pad, said second power means having a second fluid operated piston rod connected to the carriage for operating in one direction to move the carriage means and a pad it is carrying past the fastening station and in its opposite direction to return the carriage means to its starting position for pickup of another pad, a plurality of stops positioned in a row along the direction of travel of the carriage with their spacing corresponding to the lengths of the increments of intermittent movement of the carriage means, switch means on the second fluid operated piston rod aligned for travel in a path to contact and be actuated by the stops one at a time as the carriage means is transported, a brake means associated with the carriage means, said switch means causing actuation of the brake means to arrest movement of the second piston rod and the carriage when the switch means is actuated by a stop, said switch means being connected to also initiate the cycling of the fastening means to join together the sheets of a pad.

7 Apparatus defined by claim 6 characterized by, said brake means including a sprocket and a chain engaged by the sprocket, said chain being connected to the carriage, and actuation of the brake arresting rotation of the sprocket to in turn arrest movement of the chain and the carriage means to which it is attached.

8. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising, a loading station and a fastening station, and a conveyor means for receiving pads and moving them from the loading station to the fastening station, said fastening station having fastening means for joining together the sheets in each pad, means for moving the conveyor means, and stop means for causing the conveyor means to operate intermittently and convey the pads in separate increments of movement past the fastening station, said stop means being adjustable to vary the lengths of said separate increments of movement, a power means connected to drive said conveyor means, said conveyor means having a work engaging finger mounted on the conveyor means to be extended for engaging a pad to allow the conveyor to convey the pad past the fastening station and to be retracted clear of the path of the pad, the connection between the power means and the conveyor means allowing an increment of relative movement back and forth between the two, the mounting of the work engaging finger on the conveyor means having means for causing said. finger to extend when said relative movement is in one direction and to retract when the relative movement is in the opposite direction.

9. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising, a loading station and a fastening station, and a conveyor means for receiving pads and moving them from the loading station to the fastening station, said fastening station having fastening means for joining together the sheets in each pad, means for moving the conveyor means, and stop means for causing the conveyor means to operate intermittently and convey the pads in separate increments of movement past the fastening station, said stop means being adjustable to vary the lengths of said separate increments of movement, a power means connected to drive said conveyor means, said conveyor means having a work engaging finger mounted on the conveyor means to be extended for engaging a pad to allow the conveyor to convey the pad past the fastening station and to be retracted clear of the path of the pad, the connection between the power means and the conveyor means allowing an increment of relative movement back and forth between the two, the mounting of the work engaging finger on the conveyor means having means for causing said finger to extend when said relative movement is in one direction and to retract when the relative movement is in the opposite direction, and drag means connected to the carriage for restraining the movement of the conveyor means and thereby insure that the relative movement of the power means and the conveyor means occurs to actuate the finger in either direction of the finger motion.

10. Apparatus for conveying and joining together stacked sheets in a pad comprising a loading station and a fastening station beyond it, and conveyor means for receiving a pad and transporting it from the loading station to the fastening station, a first stop means in the path of travel of a pad being transported by the conveyor means, said first stop means being aligned to arrest the pad at the initial edge of the fastening station, means for causing the first stop means to be retracted clear of the path of the pad, and a second stop means for thereafter causing the conveyor means to operate intermittently and convey the pad in separate increments of movement past the fastening station with arrest of movement between each separate increment, and control means for causing the fastening means to cycle and join the sheets of the pad each time the pad is arrested in motion by the second stop means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,037 4/1895 Clapp 1-388 2,814,803 12/1957 Northrup 1-148 X 2,862,207 12/1958 Newhouse et a1. 1--l47 2,984,838 5/1961 Parker 1144 GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND JOINING TOGETHER STACKED SHEETS IN A PAD COMPRISING, A FRAME, BOTH A LOADING STATION AND FASTENING STATIONS BEYOND IT ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FRAME, A CONVEYOR MEANS FOR DELIVERING A PAD FROM THE LOADING STATION ALONG SAID SURFACE TO THE FASTENING STATION AND THEN PAST THE FASTENING, STATION IN SEPARATE INCREMENTS OF INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT, SAID CONVEYOR MEANS HAVING A PAD PUSHER FOR TRANSPORTING THE PAD FROM THE LOADING STATION TO THE FASTENING STATION AND A CARRIAGE MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING THE PAD PAST THE FASTENING STATION, A FIRST POWER MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING THE PAD PUSHER AND A SECOND MEANS POWER MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING THE CARRIAGE MEANS, A PLURALITY OF STOPS POSITIONED IN A ROW ALONG THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE CARRIAGE MEANS WITH THEIR SPACING CORRESPONDING TO THE LENGTHS OF THE INCREMENTS OF INTERMITTENT MOVEMENT OF THE CONVEYOR, A CONTROL MEANS ON THE SECOND POWER MEANS ALIGNED IN THE DIRECT PATH OF THE STOPS TO THEREBY CONTACT THE STOPS ONE AT A TIME AS THE CARRIAGE IS ACTUATED, SAID CONTROL MEANS, WHEN IT CONTACTS A STOP, BEING ACTUATED TO ARREST MOTION OF THE SECOND POWER MEANS WHICH TURN ARREST MOTION OF THE CARRIAGE MEANS AND THE PAD IT IS TRANSPORTING. 